Snow skis

ABSTRACT

A ski, monoski, or snowboard includes a base plate ( 2 ) with a platform ( 3 ) mounted to its central portion to receiving bindings for binding a skier&#39;s boot to the platform. A set of four longitudinal elements ( 40, 41, 42, 43 ) have one end ( 40   a,    41   a,    42   a,    43   a ) which is removably attached to the platform, a second end ( 40   b,    41   b,    42   b,    43   b ) which engages a forward or rearward portion of the base plate ( 2 ), space and a bridge ( 40   c,    41   c,    42   c,    43   c ) between the first and second ends. The bridge is prestressed in order to augment the pressure applied by the boot during skiing to forward and rearward portions of the base plate and to provide a dynamic means of recall for returning the base plate toward a home position.

The present invention concerns a snow device such as a ski, a monoski, a snowboard, or the like. It more particularly relates to an improvement relative to a ski comprising a base plate, on which is affixed at least one supplemental element.

The snow sports and their devotees have advanced significantly these last years with increasing demand for quality of the products. Such is, for example, the case of the sports of skiing.

One knows already many models of snow sport devices, and in particular of skis, which consist of a beam of lengthened form whose front end is raised to constitute the spatula, while the lower surface includes a sole on which to ski bordered by metal edges.

Despite all the efforts developed by the manufacturers to satisfy customers, there does not exist, to date, of ski perfectly incorporating both the convenience of use and satisfactory characteristics of behavior, whatever the type of terrain, and whoever the user.

Certain attempts were made, such as, for example, by the constructions in the French patents 2 670 392 and 2 675 391. The applicant, in its French patent N^(o) 2 726 193, already proposed a construction of a ski according to which it is envisioned as a body on which a platform is fixed.

The applicant also proposed in its patent FR 2 831 829, a raised platform for attaching the boot, divided into two longitudinal parts each one directly on the base plate of the ski and connected by a bridge which advantageously allows the skier, according to the turns to be made, to exert a different pressure on each side.

The applicant finally proposed in its unpublished patent application FR 04 07955, another improvement for skis according to which a supplemental element made up of two longitudinal parts extending longitudinally parallel and connected together by at least one transverse connection, the supplemental element being affixed at least in the zone of the boot so that its two longitudinal parts are located laterally in holes in the body of the ski.

The present invention proposes general-purpose skis made up of a base plate and at least one supplemental element whose co-operation of forms, dimensions and structure, gives to the whole of the ski the necessary characteristics, as well as comfort while still improving the control of ski.

To this end, the ski, monoski or snowboard, with a vertical plane of general symmetry, comprising a principal part, known as a body or a base plate, and a platform affixed to the base plate in the zone of the boot and intended to support the bindings for fastening a boot to the ski. The ski comprises a supplemental element made up of at least one longitudinal part affixed at least partly at the platform and extending, at least partly, along the base plate, and is characterized in that an end of each longitudinal part of the supplemental element is affixed at the platform to support the binding for a one boot to the ski. The ski includes one supplemental element made up of at least one longitudinal part affixed at least partly at the platform and extending at least partly along the base plate, is characterized in that an end of each longitudinal part of the supplemental element is fixed at platform, in the zone of the boot, and the other end is free support against the base plate in a zone far away from the zone of the boot in such manner so that the base plate is not stressed by the element, even when the ski is at rest, and in that the median part of the aforementioned longitudinal part is isolated on the base plate by forming a bridge in order to share in local pressure applied by the boot and in addition, to constitute a means of dynamic memory of the base plate towards its home position.

According to the preferred embodiment, the base plate includes on each side a lateral relief extending longitudinally to define a longitudinal rib, while the supplemental element made up of at least one longitudinal part extends at least partly along the side relief from the base plate.

According to a complementary characteristic, the removable longitudinal parts are affixed in a manner to the platform so as to be able to affix another longitudinal part of a different length.

According to another characteristic, the supplemental element (4) comprises four longitudinal parts including the first two spaced with an identical first length between them and affixed in front of the platform and the second two with an identical second length between them, which is different from the first length, and which are affixed at the back of the platform.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first length of the parts affixed in front of the platform is greater than the second length of the parts affixed at the back of the platform.

Let us add that the first length of the parts affixed in front of the platform is at least 10% greater than the second length.

According to the preferred embodiment, the removable attachment of each longitudinal part to the base plate is done in such a manner so as to avoid dismounting the platform from the base plate.

According to another complementary characteristic, a free end of each longitudinal part is mounted sliding translation on the base plate, such that the free end of each longitudinal part defines an internal a groove intended to slide on an elongated projection of complementary form defined on of the base plate.

The invention relates also to the elongated element formed by the supplemental longitudinal element of the ski, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a part forming the bridge intended to extend between the removable clamps by fastening screws and the end of free support and another part forming the prolonged stem of the bridge intended to be placed in a sleeve in the platform.

By “bridge”, it should be understood within the framework of the invention that the longitudinal part of the longitudinal element forms a bridge above the base plate and that its free end is support against the base when at rest, i.e. not requested in dynamic inflection in conditions of use of the ski. Thus, within the framework of the invention and as envisioned in the illustrated embodiment, the bridge formed by the longitudinal elements can be put into the base plate so that this one is already flexed at rest (see FIG. 1 c) or it can be flexed at rest all while maintaining the base plate not flexed at rest.

In the same way, by “dynamic means of recall”, it is necessary to include within the framework of the invention, a means to recall the base urges the base plate in dynamic inflection in conditions of use of the ski, towards its home position.

The invention also relates to an elongated element formeding a longitudinal part of a supplemental element of the ski according to the invention.

The invention relates finally to a kit for skiing, characterized in that it includes one or two sets of four elongated elements according to the invention with two sets in two different lengths.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which will follow as well as the annexed drawings which are given as nonrestrictive examples.

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 1 c are perspective views respectively from the top and side of the first embodiment of the ski according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base plate and binding platform before the installation for the longitudinal elements of its supplemental element.

FIGS. 3 a through 3 k are transverse cross-sections along sections' A-A, B-B, DC, D-D, E-E, FF, G-G, H-H, II, J-J, K-K respectively of the ski according to FIG. 1 c.

FIG. 4 is an expanded perspective view for a ski according to the invention.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are perspective views of a kit with two different sets of four longitudinal elements to be put in place on the base plate attached to the binding platform.

The invention will be described within the framework of a ski of the alpine type, but it also applies to any type of ski-like device such as monoski, snowboard or the like.

FIG. 1 represents a ski (1), with a general vertical plane of symmetry (P), comprising a principal part, known as the body or base plate (2), including an advantageous side relief (20 a, 20 b) extending longitudinally so as to define a longitudinal rib (21).

The ski also comprises a platform (3) affixed at the base plate in the zone of boot (Z.P) and intended to support the bindings for fastening a boot to the ski.

According to another characteristic, the ski comprises a supplemental element (4) made up of at least one longitudinal part (40, 41, 42, 43) affixed at least partially at the platform (3) and which extends at least partly along the side reliefs (20 a, 20 b) of the base plate (2).

According to an illustrated embodiment of the invention, one end (40 a, 41 a, 42 a, 43 a) of each longitudinal part (40, 41, 42, 43) of the supplemental element (4) is affixed to the platform (3), in the zone of boot (Z.P), and the other end (40 b, 41 b, 42 b, 43 b) is advantageously supported under constraint with the base plate (2) in a zone (Z.C) far away from the zone of boot (Z.P) in such a manner so that the median part (40 c, 41 c, 42 c, 43 c) of the aforementioned longitudinal part is isolated from the base plate while forming a bridge (5) with a pre-stressed end in order to a distribute, in the zone of free support, local pressure applied by the boot and in addition, to constitute a dynamic means of recall of the base plate (2) towards its home position.

Advantageously the longitudinal part(s) (40, 41, 42, 43) are attached in a removable way to the platform (3) so as to be able to affix another longitudinal part of different length (40′, 41′, 42′, 43′). In the illustrated embodiment, removable attachment is carried out for each longitudinal part (40, 41, 42, 43) at least partially by means of a screw (6) in the end part of the zone of the boot (Z.P). Such attachment makes it possible to dismount a longitudinal part quickly and easily in order to exchange it with an identical part of different length, to achieve different characteristics.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the supplemental element comprises four longitudinal parts (40, 41, 42, 43) including two (40,41) of a first identical length (L1) between them and affixed at the front (AV) of the platform (3) and two (42, 43) of a second identical length (L2) between them, different from the first, and attached at the back (AR) of the platform (3).

According to this same embodiment, the first length (L1) of the parts (40, 41) attached at the front (AV) of the platform is greater than the second length (L2) of the parts (42,43) affixed at the back (AR) of the platform (3).

Advantageously, the first length (L1) of the parts (40, 41) affixed at the front of the platform is greater by at least 10% than the second length (L2) of the parts (42, 43) affixed at the back (AR) of the platform (3).

Equally advantageously, the removable attachments of each longitudinal part (40,41,42,43) to the platform is carried out in such a manner so as to avoid dismounting the platform (3) from the base plate (2).

According to the preferred embodiment, a freely supported end of each longitudinal part (40, 41, 42, 43) is assembled in sliding translation on the base plate (2). Preferably, the freely supported end of each longitudinal part (40, 41, 42, 43) defines a longitudinal groove (400, 410, 420, 430) open at the bottom intended to receive a longitudinal projection (70, 71, 72, 73) of a complementary form and disposed on the base plate (2). The longitudinal projection being an integral part of the base plate as illustrated or being an independent part affixed at the base plate. Also let us note that opposite construction can be adopted, namely that the projection could be on the supplemental element and the groove in the base plate. As illustrated on FIG. 4, the elongated element forming a longitudinal part of a supplemental longitudinal element on the ski as described above which includes a part forming the bridge (5) which extends removably between the attachment hole by a fastening screw (6) and the freely supported end and another part forming a stem intended to be placed in a sleeve (8) defined in the base plate (3).

Let us add that in the illustrated embodiment, the binding platform (3) is affixed on the base plate (2) by means of four screws (90), this mode of attachment allows the longitudinal blocking of the platform (3) compared to the base plate (2).

It will be noted that the platform is made up, in this embodiment, of two parts, namely a higher part (300) receiving more particularly attachments, and a lower part (310) constituting the platform itself forming spill plate.

Moreover, the ends (30, 31) of the higher part (300) of the platform (3) are affixed only with the lower part (310) of the platform (3) by means of four screws (91), two per end. The assembly of the two screws (91) at an end (30) or (31) platform (3) is envisioned with a spacer (92) and authorizing a play of sliding motion between each end (30, 31) of the platform (3) and that (440, 441) of the lower part (300) of the platform (3). This play of sliding motion makes it possible to increase the clearance obtained between the base plate (2) and the platform (3) in certain configurations of flexing of the ski.

Let us finally note that the end pieces (93) made out of compressible material, preferably rubber, are laid out at the ends (440, 441) of the lower part (310) of the platform (3) between those and longitudinal elements (40, 41, 42, 43). These parts are compressed at the time of the inflection of the ski (1) in conditions of use and while relaxing to take part in the dynamic recall of the base plate (2) towards its home position.

According to the invention, it is advantageous to envisage a kit (9) for a ski (1) comprising one (10 or 11) or two sets (10,11) of four elongated elements (40, 41, 42, 43 and 40 ′, 41′, 42′, 43′) described above two of different length (L1, L2) from the other two (L′1, L′2):

a pair (10) of elements (40, 41, 42, 43) of longer length will preferably be used for situations of skiing of the “giant” type i.e. situations in which the skier will need to make turns of large radius;

a pair (11) of elements (40′, 41′, 42′, 43′) of smaller length will preferably be used for situations of skiing of the “slalom” type, i.e. situations in which the skier will need to make sharp turns, i.e. of smaller radius.

It goes without saying also that one could provide that the two elongated front elements (40, 41) are longer than the two elongated rear elements (42, 43). One would not depart from the framework of the invention if the left front element (40) were longer than the left rear element (42) and the right front element (41) were shorter than the right rear element (42), or if the left front element (40) were shorter than the left rear element (42) and the right front element (41) were longer than the right rear element (42).

The longitudinal part of the supplemental element according to invention as described:

allows to increase the pressure applied by the user directly in the zone of free support and to thus reflect it on the level of the edge, which facilitates the catching of edge and starting of turn which result from this;

constitutes a simple and effective means of dynamic recall of the base plate towards its home position when it is requested in dynamic inflection when skiing.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented by way of the examples, but it contemplates also all the technical equivalents and also their combinations.

For example, if in the preferred embodiment that is illustrated, the longitudinal part of the supplemental element defines a bridge and a stem intended to be placed in the shown sleeve, it can be implemented very well in a longitudinal part without a stem, the removable fixing of the longitudinal part being realized only by means of a fastening screw without needing to dismounting the platform from the base plate at the time of the disassembling of the longitudinal part(s).

In the same way, if in the preferred embodiment which is illustrated, the central part of the supplemental element is fixed relative to the base plate by defining a hollow space constituting the sleeve, it can mate with the base plate very well over all its length. It goes without saying also that the base plate could have no side reliefs, and thus not contemplate a longitudinal rib.

It was also understood that the platform (3) which extends according to this embodiment along a sufficiently long length designed to receive the bindings intended to retain the boot, which could include two independent parts, namely made up of a front part and a back part.

It was also understood that the supplemental elements are pre-stressed and put in tension at the time of their assembly on the base plate in order to give a pre-stressed inflection to the latter, even in this home position, the support on the base plate of these elements being done to give an effort of initial support. 

1. A board for skiing on snow such as a ski, a monoski or a snowboard, comprising: a base plate a platform fixed at the base plate in a zone of a boot and intended to support bindings for holding a boot to the board; a supplemental element including at least a longitudinal part attached at least partly at the platform and extending at least partly along the base plate, each longitudinal part of the supplemental element being attached at one end to the platform in the zone of the boot, and the other end being in free support against the base plate in a zone away from the zone of the boot in such manner to pre-stress the base plate when it is at rest, a middle portion of the aforementioned longitudinal part being isolated from the base plate by forming a pre-stressed bridge in order to augment, in the zone of free support, local pressure applied by the boot and, to constitute a dynamic means of recall of the base plate towards a home position.
 2. The board for skiing on snow according to claim 1, wherein the base plate defines reliefs extending longitudinally to define a longitudinal rib, the free support end of the supplemental element engaging the reliefs of the base plate.
 3. The board for skiing on snow according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal parts are attached in a removable way to the platform to permit affixing another longitudinal part of different length.
 4. The board for skiing on snow according to claim 1, wherein the supplemental element comprises four longitudinal parts including a front pair of a first identical length and fixed at the front of the platform and a rear pair of a second identical length, different from the first length, and fixed at the back of the platform.
 5. The board for skiing on snow according to claim 4, wherein the first length of the first pair is than the second length of the second pair.
 6. The board for skiing on snow according to claim 5, wherein the first length is at least 10% greater than the second length.
 7. The board for skiing on snow according to claim 5, wherein the first and second pair are detachably mounted in such a way that first and second pairs can be detached without dismounting the platform from the base plate.
 8. The board for skiing on snow according to claim 1, wherein the free support end is mounted for sliding translation on the base plate.
 9. The board for skiing on snow according to claim 8, wherein the free support end defines groove open to the bottom to received on an elongated projection of complementary form disposed on the base plate.
 10. An elongated element forming a longitudinal part of the supplemental element according to claim 1, further including a part forming the bridge extending between the free support end a stem which is adapted to be received in a sleeve defined between a central part of the platform and the base plate.
 11. A supplemental element for board for skiing on snow such as a ski, a monoski or a snowboard, comprising: an elongated element adapted to be attached to a platform to which bindings affix a skier's boot by one of its ends, while the other end is free, the aforementioned elongated element providing pre-stress the board for skiing on snow.
 12. A kit for a board for skiing on snow, including a set of four of the elongated elements according to claim
 11. 13. The kit according to claim 12, further including a plurality of the sets, each set having elements of different lengths.
 14. A skiing device comprising: a base which slides on snow; a platform mounted to a central portion of the base to hold bindings for attaching a skier's boot to the platform; a set of elongated elements including: a pair of forward elongated elements each forward element having (a) a first end attached to the platform, (b) a second end slidably engaging the base forward of the platform, and (c) a bridge between the first and second ends which causes the second end to apply a force to the base forward of the platform while skiing, and a pair of rearward elongated elements each rearward element having (a) a first end attached to the platform, (b) a second end slidably engaging the base rearward of the platform, and (c) a bridge between the first and second ends which causes the second end to apply a force to the base rearward of the platform while skiing.
 15. The skiing device according to claim 14, wherein the forward elongated elements have a first length and the rearward elongated elements have a second length.
 16. The skiing device according to claim 15, wherein the first length is greater than the second length.
 17. The skiing device according to claim 14, wherein the first ends of the elongated elements are detachably attached to the platform and further including: additional elongated elements, one end of each (a) being attachable to the platform and (b) having a bridge which is configured to apply a different force to the base relative to the force applied by the elongated elements of the set. 